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The purchase of the digital-effects studio behind the Transformers franchise put Beijing Galloping Horse on Western radars. Now its latest hook up — with John Woo — is set to take the company to the next level. Liz Shackleton reports
One of a crop of ambitious young Chinese film investment companies, Beijing Galloping Horse Film Co (BGH) was virtually unknown in the West until it hit the headlines in a big way last September with its acquisition of leading visual-effects studio Digital Domain.
BGH partnered with India's Reliance MediaWorks (RMW) to beat out bidders including France's Technicolor to buy the beleaguered company for $30.2m. Despite its work on films such as the Transformers series and Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End, Digital Domain had fallen victim to the combination of unpredictable cashflow, low profit margins and intense competition, which has plagued many US VFX houses in the last few years.
'Now our box office is going up, local producers are encouraged to spend more money on VFX'
Ivy Zhong, Beijing Galloping Horse
Both BGH and RMW were already involved with Digital Domain. BGH had a joint production venture with the US company, through which they were co-producing animated feature The Legend Of Tembo. RMW was partnered with Digital Domain in studios in London and Mumbai. Following the acquisition, BGH has a 70% stake in Digital Domain while RMW owns the remaining 30%.
As soon as the deal closed, BGH started overhauling the company's business model to make it less dependent on feature films and increase its involvement in gaming, advertising and other digital projects.
"A lot of good VFX companies have been facing bankruptcy recently, but their problem is not their artists or management. If they continue to focus on film work, they face cash-flow problems due to the inevitable delays," says BGH vice-chairman and managing director Ivy Zhong.
"Most of their costs are payroll and you can't have hundreds of artists just sitting around when a movie has been delayed. Relying on the slow cashflow from movies is dangerous so we're looking for work that generates frequent inflows of cash."
Zhong has already brought in new clients to Digital Domain, such as Chinese internet giant Tencent Holdings, and another big company to be announced soon. There are also plans for Digital Domain to start taking equity positions in some of the films it works on. "The company was involved in around 15 out of the top 20 movies last year, so why not invest equity in those projects, as we hear about them early and can choose," says Zhong.
Digital Domain will also soon start working on its first Chinese film production — John Woo's as yet- untitled romantic epic, which starts shooting in mid-May with a glittering ensemble cast including Zhang Ziyi and Korean actress Song Hye-kyo.
BGH is majority financing the $30m film, which follows the loves stories of three men and three women against the backdrop of historical events in 1940s China. Digital Domain will be involved in recreating battles from the Second World War and the Chinese Civil War, along with a shipping disaster off the coast near Shanghai. Woo and Terence Chang's Lion Rock Productions are producing with BGH and China Film Group.
The project heads an ambitious new slate from BGH, which is ramping up production this year with around eight Chinese-language features. Also in the pipeline are movie adaptations of two top-rating Chinese TV series — The Legend Of Zhen Huan, about palace intrigue in the Qing Dynasty, and Soldier Ge Erdan. BGH is also developing an action comedy Get Rio,scripted by Shu Ping and directed by Wei Xiao, who are both regular collaborators with leading Chinese film-maker Jiang Wen.
Established in 1998 as a TV and advertising company, BGH has a long history by Chinese media and entertainment industry standards. It quickly became well-known for producing hit TV dramas and in 2008 attracted $40m investment from Baring Private Equity Partners Asia.
The company started investing in films in 2009, at first collectively with other Chinese companies, which is common practice for new investors, then later started to take larger stakes or fully finance films. One of its first big projects was Reign Of Assassins (2010), co-directed by Woo and Su Chaopin, which starred Michelle Yeoh.
'The US films that are successful in China have huge budgets of $100-$200m and we can't do those kinds of movies in China'
Ivy Zhong, Beijing Galloping Horse
The company's credits also include 2011 romantic drama Eternal Moment, directed by established film-maker Zhang Yibai, who heads production for the company. Last year BGH released Ning Hao's heist caper Guns N' Roses and arty crime drama Lethal Hostage, directed by newcomer Cheng Er. With a gross of $24m, Guns N' Roses was the only bright spot for the local fi lm industry after China's import quota was widened last spring. Lethal Hostage managed a respectable $5m in August.
In addition to production, BGH distributes in mainland China and is ramping up its international sales division, headed by former Mega- Vision Pictures' executive Ronan Wong. The company also has a talent management arm and operates five cinemas in mainland China, with plans for another five to open this year.
The company has been outward-looking from the very beginning, exploring opportunities to invest in or co-produce international projects, and was one of the investors in Sony's 2010 The Karate Kid. It is also developing an English-language project that originated in the US, Two-Gun Cohen (working title), about a UK adventurer who became aide-de-camp to China's first president Sun Yat-sen. Doug Liman was attached to direct but had to leave the project due to other commitments. Zhong says the script is now ready and she is looking for partners and a new director in the US.
Zhong say further investments in US projects are in the pipeline, some of which will be US-China co-productions while others are co-financing deals. As co-productions are exempt from China's import quotas, they have recently attracted huge attention, although the Chinese authorities started to clamp down on what they described as "stick-on co-productions" last year. As Zhong explains, it is not just regulatory hurdles that make US-China co-productions difficult to arrange.
"Firstly our cultures are very different," says Zhong. "Comedy doesn't usually travel and even with romantic dramas you can feel the differences in values when you're talking about love.
"Then if you look at the type of movies that are popular in both markets, they are mostly action, sci-fi and VFX films that don't have a cultural backdrop. The US films that are successful in China have huge budgets of $100m-$200m and we can't do those kinds of movies in China. So it's not easy to find projects that are suitable for co-production, although we're still trying."
Presumably, owning Digital Domain is a step in the right direction towards making $100m movies and taking on Hollywood at its own game. But Zhong says this is not going to happen overnight. For that reason BGH is not relocating Digital Domain's US and Canadian facilities to China to take advantage of cost savings. "The VFX industry is all about the artists and you can't train people to a very high standard in a short space of time," says Zhong. "You can do some simple VFX work in India and China to lower costs, but not the high-end work."
But she does acknowledge the acquisition should enrich the local fi lm industry by giving it access to tools and skills it will increasingly need to remain competitive with the growing number of Hollywood imports. Zhong observes that two kinds of local movies are currently performing well in China — comedies and CGI-driven fantasies based on local mythology, such as Painted Skin: The Resurrection. "Now our box office is going up, local producers are encouraged to spend more money on VFX," she says. "We know this because a lot of people have approached us since we bought Digital Domain."
Outside of the movie sphere, Zhong says Digital Domain will also continue to develop new forms of digital entertainment, such as the hologram of late rapper Tupac Shakur that astonished audiences at the Coachella music festival last year. Although she will not be drawn on specifics, Zhong says the company is looking for Asian stars and singers to bring back to life. The possibilities are mind-boggling


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- Phone
- 800-732-5821
- 434-847-1811
- City
- Lynchburg
- Locality
- Lynchburg City
Downtown Lynchburg is framed by the Langley Fountain in the James River, and the impressive Civil War Statue high atop Monument Terrace. Visitors can hike the challenge of the Terrace's 139 steps, take in museums and shops, visit art galleries or just enjoy the panoramic view from the top.
Lynchburg's seven Historic Districts offer some of the most impressive and unique architecture you'll find. Take a tour and step back in time to a by-gone era of grand and historic homes.
14 paved miles of Blackwater Creek Trail meander through the heart of the city. Explore the old rail bridge over the James River, Percival's Island, a stone tunnel or Hollins Mill waterfall as you walk, hike, bike, roller-blade, or even do some nature-watching from your wheelchair.
Lynchburg offers a diverse selection of quaint, specialty shops and antiquing here is a sport unto itself! With floors and floors of repurposed buildings for your browsing pleasure, it's a memorable day for the shopaholic!
Lynchburg recreational opportunities can help you relax or get your adrenaline pumping! You'll love kayaking the James River or Hot Air Ballooning... indoor rock climbing or year-round snowsports! That's right...Snowflex is the only outdoor, artificial snow sports slope in the nation, and its right here in Lynchburg!
Historic Sandusky and Civil War Center is just one of twelve sites on the Civil War Trails. Taken over by Gen. David Hunter, the home was used as Union headquarters for the Battle of Lynchburg. The Civil War Center offers displays of authentic Civil War memorabilia and dynamic video presentations in the surround-sound theatre.
Jefferson Street Brewery is located in the Bluffwalk Center along the city's riverfront. It is one of the region's micro breweries, producing finely crafted beers and ales that are served in the onsite dining venues.
If you are looking for a diverse choice of eateries, look no further. From home-town 'Best burger' favorites like the Cavalier, to top level international cuisine, Lynchburg's got your taste buds covered!
Old City Cemetery with its antique rose gardens, 5 interactive museums, walking trails and more is a 'must see' when visiting Lynchburg. An annual event each October is the popular 'Candlelight Tours' where professional actors in period costumes portray true stories of Cemetery residents. The tours are always a 'sell out', so get your tickets early!
Call (800) 732-5821 for more, or go to discoverlynchburg.org to 'Escape and Discover Lynchburg'!
Last Updated: 04/28/2014
What's Nearby
216 12th St.
Lynchburg, VA 245040.02 MI
1219 Main Street
Lynchburg, VA 245040.04 MI
1219 Main St.
Lynchburg, VA 245040.05 MI
1225 Church St
Lynchburg, VA 245040.06 MI
1208 Main St
Lynchburg, VA 245040.07 MI

subset: commoncrawl


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Whose Amazon Is It?by and -
Following the recent violence over natural resource use, Peru has an opportunity to balance economic development with human rights protections.
The tension between natural resource development and the protection of human rights reached a breaking point in Peru this month. In early April, indigenous groups initiated nearly 50 days of protests as a public outcry for laws that violated their right to decide if and how large-scale development happens on their territory. Fatal violence erupted when police and the military attempted to break a road blockade near the city of Bagua, in the northern region of Amazonas and close to the border with Ecuador. The victim count remains controversial. The official death toll is 33, with 24 policemen and 9 civilians killed. Other estimates range from 40 to 250 indigenous people dead.
The government responded to the protests with heavy-handed tactics, calling a state of emergency and calling in the military and national police. (A move denounced by human rights organizations). Also, there has been a national and international outcry at the use of violence by both sides. Public demonstrations and strikes were held in Lima and other cities in Perú, with protests in other major cities around the world. The International Human Rights Commission, leaders of the Peruvian Catholic Church, as well as Peruvian and international NGOs, all made statements calling for investigations and a stop to the violence.
The ingredients for violent conflict have been simmering for several years. The Peruvian government's aggressive economic development strategy centers on promoting private investment in the natural resources based sectors. Between 2004 and 2009, the oil and gas concessions in the Peruvian Amazon increased their coverage from 15% to 72%. The vast majority of these concessions overlap with indigenous people's territories, including titled and demarcated communities, communities in process of being titled, territorial reserves and proposed reserves. However, the government did not consult with these indigenous communities before it drew the concession boundaries and awarded the concessions to oil and gas companies.
Adding fuel to the fire is the 2006 US-Perú Trade Promotion Agreement, the free trade agreement (FTA) signed by President George W. Bush and Peru's President, Alan García. The FTA included a variety of groundbreaking provisions for labor, public participation and consultation, and forest management, which were included after the agreement was re-negotiated in 2007. These provisions were meant to improve forest sector governance and promote legal trade in timber products. The FTA also included language meant to prohibit the weakening of existing environmental laws in both countries.
To make sure the agreement could be certified before President Bush left office in January 2009, the Peruvian Congress granted Peru's executive branch special powers to enact laws and regulations needed to be in compliance with the FTA. Between February and June 2008, the executive branch used these powers to pass a series of Legislative Decrees meant to attract and facilitate large-scale private investment in the extractive industries, forestry and agriculture in the Peruvian Amazon.
Much attention has been paid to two of the more contentious decrees--Legislative Decree 1064 and Legislative Decree 1020. Decree 1064 removes previous requirements for companies to negotiate with a community prior to moving in, and it reclassifies communal land rights as subordinate to individual and private ownerships, giving favor to individuals, companies, and settlers who invade indigenous territories. Decree 1020 outlines a plan to regulate investment in the Amazon, but protesters say it frees roughly 60 percent of Peru's forests for potential development.
As with the oil and gas concession awarding process, indigenous communities were not consulted on the content of the decrees. This is despite the fact that Peru has signed onto several international conventions and declarations that commit the government to providing specific protections to indigenous peoples, including the right to free, prior and informed consent on development activities that would threaten their territory or way of life.
Community Engagement & Natural Resource Use
WRI's 2009 report, Breaking Ground: Engaging Communities in Extractive and Infrastructure Projects recommends 7 principles to help companies adapt to the changing rules of natural resource extraction by more effectively involving communities in project decision-making:
- Prepare communities before engaging.
- Determine what level of engagement is needed.
- Integrate community engagement into each phase of the project cycle.
- Include traditionally excluded stakeholders.
- Gain free, prior and informed consent.
- Resolve community grievances through dialogue.
- Promote participatory monitoring by local communities.
Read the full publication here.
Last year, after public protest and indigenous peoples' demonstrations called the decrees into question, a special investigative Commission created by the Peruvian Congress found the decrees to be unconstitutional. When debate in the Congress on the Commission's findings was blocked and formal spaces for dialogue appeared to be ineffective, indigenous communities took to the streets to protest.
Since the events in Bagua, the Congress has repealed the controversial decrees, and President Garcia has recognized the lack of consultation and declared that it is time to start over again.
The government has set up a national working group made up by members of the executive branch, the presidents of the regional governments of the Amazonian States, and 10 indigenous representatives. The working group is tasked to prepare a sustainable development plan for the Peruvian Amazon. While the Minister of Foreign Relations has said that Peru has the support of the U.S. Government and Congress to find negotiated solutions to improve the laws, the U.S. itself has said or done very little about the situation.
An unprecedented opportunity for Peru
The "new start" offers the government an unprecedented opportunity to put effective measures in place to protect all of its citizens from the unintended negative consequences of development, and make sure that they receive its full benefits through a participatory process.
At the national level, the government needs to make sure that laws and policies:
Provide information: Give citizens adequate access to clear and accurate information about planned development, and that citizens are given an opportunity to understand the full implications of development. The government should conduct analysis and provide maps that show the location of indigenous territories and the overlaps with possible conflicting land uses for example, oil and gas concessions or forest and mining concessions.
Allow citizen participation: Give citizens formal opportunities to participate in credible decision-making processes to ensure sure that their views and opinions are reflected in final decisions.
Provide access to justice: Give citizens access to effective forms of justice so that if they have a grievance, they don't feel they need to take the law into their own hands.
Finally, companies operating on indigenous territory should also play their part. Since the majority of oil and gas concessions in the Peruvian Amazon overlap indigenous territories, those operating in these concessions should have a policy regarding indigenous peoples, and an effective policy on community engagement and free prior and informed consent.


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2010: 'The Year of the Consumer'by CPSC Blogger February 19, 2010 chairman CPSC speech Tenenbaum
(Read the introduction transcript, chairman's transcript or watch in Windows Media format.
On Wednesday, CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum addressed attendees of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization conference at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C. Hear for yourself what she had to say about the agency's priorities and commitment to consumers by watching the speech.
"When you look at the revitalization that has gone on at the CPSC, state regulators, and advocacy groups, 2010 is shaping up, in my opinion, to be the Year of the Consumer," Tenenbaum said in her keynote speech.
Tenenbaum also spoke frankly to manufacturers, telling them to work quickly on new crib standards or the agency will act and telling them to take responsibility for defective products.


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Send money to Poland
Transfer money from the UK to Poland quickly and easily using Travelex Wire: a trusted service where you'll always know how much you're sending.Start your journey
How to transfer money to Poland
Whether you need to pay a bill abroad or you're looking to make payments towards that special holiday home, it's never been easier to securely transfer money from the UK to Poland thanks to Travelex Wire.Find out more
- Sign up for an online account
- Select Poland as the destination
- Check and confirm your quote
- Pay your chosen amount using your UK debit card
Is sending money abroad safe?
When you're sending money abroad, it's understandable that you want to know exactly where your money's going and what happens to it along the way. So if you're after a safe way to send money abroad, we're here to help.
With our expert Customer Service team on hand to answer your questions, you can transfer your money with confidence.
Looking to transfer money to somewhere other than Poland?
With Travelex Wire, you're able to send money to more than 30 countries across the world. Some of our most popular countries include:
North America
Asia & Middle East
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Turkey
- South Africa
To see the full list of countries we deliver to, check out our Travelex Wire page.
Customer support
If you have any other questions, we offer several ways to get in touch:
Want to talk to us over the phone? Give us a call on 0345 300 5835
Prefer to send an email? Direct your questions and queries to us at email@example.com
Find us on social
Common questions:
What can I do with Travelex Wire?
Travelex Wire lets you make international money transfers from the UK to 39 countries. That is: set up an order and pay for it with your UK debit card, after which Travelex will set up your currency transfer and send it to the recipient's bank account.
What do I need to get started?
Let's start with the basics. To send money abroad with Travelex Wire, you'll need:
-Your email address
-Your UK mobile number
-Your UK home address
-Your own UK issued debit card (Visa or MasterCard)
-The bank details of your recipient, including their full name, country specific bank details, and in some cases – depending on the country and delivery method you choose – their home address.
If you don't have your recipient's bank details readily to hand, you can always create your Travelex Wire account and come back later to complete your order.
What is the difference between Travelex International Payments and Travelex Wire?
Travelex International Payments is an international payments service offered by Travelex through our existing partner UKForex. Travelex Wire is the new money transfer service from Travelex directly, offering a low-cost way of sending money internationally.
How much does it cost to make an international money transfer using Travelex Wire?
When you set up your order, you'll be given a quote for the exchange rate and a fee for making the transfer. Due to the foreign exchange market changing constantly when open, you may find your quote changes as you are setting up your order. We'll let you know the latest exchange rate before you confirm payment of your order, and we will confirm the exact exchange rate once your order is booked. The exact fee depends on the amount you wish to send. For orders up to and including £300 GBP, the fee is fixed at £3. For orders over £300, the fee is computed as a percentage of the amount you are sending, and will be clearly displayed to you within Travelex Wire..
How will the money appear in my recipient's account?
In the majority of cases, the recipient will see a reference to our payment delivery partner ("Currency Cloud"). In some cases, the recipient's name and the reference note you provided when you set up your order will also be included. We'll do our best to ensure that it appears on the recipient's statement, but this cannot be guaranteed due to the nature of international money transfers. An international money transfer delivered by SWIFT is more likely to include the reference note but it's still not guaranteed.
* The exact fee depends on the amount you wish to send. For orders up to and including £300 GBP, the fee is fixed at £3. For orders over £300, the fee is computed as a percentage of the amount you are sending, and will be clearly displayed to you within Travelex Wire. All orders sent using SWIFT incur an additional £8.95 cost, which will be included in your quote. There are 11 countries for which SWIFT is the only supported delivery method (see our FAQs for countries).
Travelex Europe Limited, registered in England and Wales under number 9641417, is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) register number 900537, under the Electronic Money Regulations for the issuing of electronic money.


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Israel and I try to take walks most days of the week. Today we had too much laundry
but yesterday we made our took our usual route. This is more or less what we see on
our walks. There is a small pond about a block away and a large, white swan lives
there with a few ducks. Sometimes he leaves the pond to walk around the streets, I've
seen him do it. That must have been where he was on this particular day.
I had to bundle the babe up because our highs have only barely reached 40 and our
walks must be before naps. Israel loves his mittens and scarf I made for him. He
loves riding around in his carrier, though I feel he may be too big for it now.
We had a nice talk and pointed to all of the birds and dogs we saw on our way.
Afterwards, we shared lunch and then off to bed.
I should be thankful to be so near nature but I do wish our walks could be through
a big, beautiful city with lots of people and stores.
Other Stories
7 comments:
Great photo of the ducks. I almost would like not to see the green mallard, so you have to really look at the other ducks that blend into the water.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousNovember 14, 2010
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.ReplyDelete
That pic of the ducks is so cool - kinda trippy with the water like that! Hope you had a great weekend!ReplyDelete
Beautiful pictures and your son is so cute.ReplyDelete
this walk looks so beautiful!!! and israel really has the world's cutest expressions. he seems so awesome. :)ReplyDelete
i'm just now finding your blog - i'm so glad! i'm not sure how i've missed it before, but i'm just so happy to find it. i love it. and, we just moved to boise in august!ReplyDelete
he looks so cute in the scarf.ReplyDelete
lots of interesting things to see. I like the chicken 'crossing the road'
Thank you for your comments, I love hearing from you!
Questions, comments or sponsorship inquires, please contact me via the 'contact' link.


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My loan was charged-off. So why is the bank still requiring payment?
A national bank or federal savings association (collectively, bank) must charge off any loan that has been delinquent for a period of time or deemed uncollectible. This is simply an accounting procedure; it does not affect your obligation to the bank. Unless the bank forgave or cancelled the debt, you are still obligated to repay the loan.
You should refer to your Account Agreement or contract.
Once a loan has been charged-off, the bank may attempt to collect the debt itself, or it can sell the account to a collection agency.


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After purchasing, your tickets are available instantly on your phone!
The Astros are excited to offer the convenience of mobile ticketing via the MLB Ballpark app! All you have to do is download the MLB Ballpark app and log into the same account you used to purchase your tickets. The free app provides a convenient, secure way for Astros fans to use and share mobile tickets, allowing easy entry into Astros games and parking facilities via your mobile device. More at astros.com/ballparkapp.


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My Journey to Founding Paraview TV
By Sandra Martin
I was introduced to Edgar Cayce through my mom, who in 1968 was a Director with Virginia State Travel (now called Virginia Tourism). Her group was touring Virginia Beach and one of their stops was the Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.).
Mom had never heard of Edgar Cayce and her first introduction to his life was from his son Hugh Lynn, who greeted the tourism group, providing them with a behind-the-scenes tour of A.R.E. followed by a grand luncheon. When the tour was over, everyone in the group was given the book, There Is a River: The Story of Edgar Cayce by Thomas Sugrue.
When Mom came home, she gave the book to me, saying that she thought I might like it. Every word in that book spoke to me, to my soul; it opened a door to another world, a world I welcomed. I "knew" there was more to life than what was apparent to the five senses. I didn't have the vocabulary to articulate that empty space in my soul that needed to know why I was here, what the meaning of life was and to discover who "I" really was, but Mr. Cayce's life work of over 14,000 readings gave my life structure, a basis for finding my true path, and hope.
After reading There Is a River, I immediately started attending A.R.E. Study Group meetings working with the A Search for God books. They were hard lessons even though the titles seemed easy; cooperation was the first lesson and often took the longest to process. Over the years, I attended Search for God study groups in Los Angeles, Athens, Georgia, New York City, and London.
My mom and I started driving to Virginia Beach to attend lectures, and weekend seminars, and we would talk and talk and talk. We met the most fascinating people on the planet at A.R.E.
A.R.E. has always been my touchstone when it comes to spirituality and understanding who we are as human beings. After many years of wandering around trying to find myself, I did. I began working as a literary agent and selling manuscripts about Edgar Cayce's work to publishers in New York City.
I've worked with many of the metaphysical and new science organizations, sold their manuscripts, listened to their lectures and their complaints about the way television treats their work and how it trivializes the material. How it also devalues and sometimes even says "it's the devil's work." A.R.E.'s core membership seems dedicated to walk the spiritual path but has found no true outlet on television.
I've sold many of my client's books to be made into films or for television and listened to them as they "woo-woo-ed" it up. So many of these subjects—like near-death experiences, precognitive dreams, or psychic experiences—are meant to empower, to support, to inspire, and to give hope, yet few films or television programs do them justice. Instead they are used for shock value or to instill fear.
What could we do to get this message out through TV? I wondered. It became clear to me that the next natural step for me was to do it myself! That's why I founded Paraview TV. Paraview's goal is to bring work like that of the A.R.E. and Edgar Cayce to light—and in the proper light. To reach people with this same message of hope and empowerment that reached me so many years ago.
Paraview TV is now available online at ParaviewTV.com, and we hope to launch our FIOS network channel by mid-winter, before the end of the year. We are partnering with A.R.E. to bring information about Edgar Cayce and related materials to television audiences across the country.
Sandra Martin is an acknowledged innovator in the mind/body/spirit field and has dedicated her professional career to bringing the best programming and content from the genre to the widest possible audience. As an award winning Account Executive for PBS affiliate WHRO, she produced a weekly series on subjects related to mind/body/spirit before expanding to television for The Discovery Channel, NHK, TLC, and PBS. She created Paraview Literary Agency in New York City where she developed and introduced many of the concepts, experts and authors of this genre to the mainstream publishing world. In 2002, she became Senior Vice President of Content for Wisdom Television where she was responsible for developing and producing programming for the new linear cable channel. As founder and CEO of Paraview TV, she plans to fulfill the mission she began thirty years ago to provide the best and most important content to national and international audiences. To learn more, visit ParaviewTV.com.


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We recently implemented two factor authentication for VPN access to our LAN. We use Yubikeys from Yubico to provide one time passwords (OTPs) which, when combined with the domain login and password, protect us from an array of attacks that password-only solutions can never solve.
You hang yubikeys on your keychain so you always have them with you and there are zero interoperability concerns (unlike smartphone solutions such as google's authenticator). A yubikey requires no battery but draws its power from the USB port you plug it into. To your computer, it looks just like a keyboard, and pushing its green button will make it type 44 letters followed by <enter>, as if you typed it.
We wanted to use the standard windows VPN client built into windows 7, so we can connect from any computer running windows 7 without having to install custom software. In the most straightforward deployment, you append your Yubikey OTP to your normal domain password. But it turns out that the windows 7 VPN client supports a maximum of 48 characters for the password, after which it starts truncating from the start of the password. Since the yubikey OTPs have 44 characters, that supports only passwords up to 4 characters, which of course is far below the acceptable range of domain password strength.


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Fettuccine O'Fredo.. Fettuccine pasta with our homemade creamy O'Fredo sauce. 11
With grilled, blackened, or paneed chicken 16
With grilled or blackened salmon or shrimp 19
Lorrha Lobster Pasta.. A steaming bowl of Rotini pasta in a delicious cream sauce with mushrooms and green onion, topped with a generous portion of cold water lobster. 21
Spinach Tortellini.. Half moon shaped spinach pasta filled with a creamy blend of cheeses, "Ravioli style" topped with Parmesan. 13
With grilled, blackened, or paneed chicken. 18
With grilled or blackened salmon or shrimp. 21
Make your reservations now!
Call 918-582-8282
Make a Reservation
If there're any questions you have regarding Kilkenny's menu or our accomodations or if you have any complaints please feel free to call us or email us.
© 2020 Kilkennys Irish Pub. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. WEBSITE DESIGNED BY :PHILLIPS360


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An Awesome iWatch Is Apple's Greatest Challenge
Feb 7, 2014 5:00 AM PT
There are two words I try to avoid connecting: "greatest" and "challenge." Clearly I've failed. I try to avoid this phrase because it reeks of hyperbole -- and yet here I am, typing it out in association with Apple's utterly mythical "iWatch."
Still, the more I look ahead, the more I realize that Apple's greatest challenge might be convincing a world that it can produce an iWatch that matters.
3 Key Reasons
Consider the abandonment of the watch. As cellphones became more and more ubiquitous, users realized that they told time very well. In fact, by connecting to cellular service towers, they automatically adjusted themselves for daylight savings time.
Better yet, as we traveled into different time zones, mobile phones adjusted. Watches lost their portable monopoly on time. People who wear watches tend to have a serious need for a wrist-handy clock, use their watch for adventure sports -- or more likely, style.
The second issue is mass market demand. Is there a vast consumer need for a smartwatch that will connect to your smartphone and show you messages and notifications? That will shoot video and let you read email? That will answer or launch a voice call? That will track your sleep and remind you to wear a rain jacket?
No. Not right now. Might that change? Of course, but only if a tangible need -- at the very least, a perceived need -- rises into global consciousness.
In 2014, demand just doesn't seem to be all that strong, despite a handful of smartwatches that have been trying to get a party going.
iWatch to Crash the Party?
Apple is most definitely late to that party. The Pebble line lit up the eyes of geeks, starting with a screamingly successful crowdsourced funding effort.
Apple's smartphone archnemesis Samsung delivered the Galaxy Gear (with a Gear 2 version looming soon); Sony delivered its SmartWatch 2; and upstarts like i'm Watch are producing some interesting options.
Meanwhile, Apple partner Nike has the popular fitness tracker bracelet, the Nike FuelBand.
There's other competition in the burgeoning health-band space, too. The most recent one to cross my path is Jawbone's UP24, which tracks how you sleep, move and even eat -- and through its smartphone-connected apps, presumably help you lead a healthier, more insightful life.
Apple has entered market segments before, redefining them with design, quality, ecosystems (stores, developer tools), and visionary leaps forward in technology and manufacturing. Can it deliver a brand new product that depends on style in addition to niche-like desire?
Apple Knows Style
Apple's design missteps, particularly under the steady hand of Jony Ive, have been few and far between. The first iPhone still looks good. A Tangerine iMac looks out of place in a flat-screen world, but the smooth curvy translucent lines? Still nice.
The point is, most Apple products are items that can stand on their own, appreciated as discrete objects -- and none of them need to be worn.
Fact is, day-to-day watches need to match a human's personality and identity, first and foremost. A secondary concern is the style and whether they are right for the occasion -- dressed up or dressed down, color, texture, waterproof or durable?
None of these challenges are impossible to meet, but they're hard. Maybe that's why Apple seems to be working away in its Cupertino bat cave, trying to make an iWatch more functional, powerful and useful than anything else out there -- which brings up a new point: Even if Apple's iWatch won't shoot out a spidery cable a hero could swing from, each new product that enters the smartwatch space raises the stakes for Apple. Why? There's more competition Apple needs to best -- or ignore in favor of a brilliant focus that will induce palm-to-forehead why-didn't-I-see-that-before slaps.
Even as competitors create better and better wearable bands, they're busy undermining the space through ideas that solve problems that don't exist... and terrible marketing. There's a Samsung video about a guy who woos a girl while skiing -- with his Galaxy Gear watch -- that is so freakishly bad that it makes me want to avoid all smartwatches lest I catch the disease depicted in the commercial. The disease? A strain of pure idiocy.
Meanwhile, what's Apple really doing? Apparently working like crazy. The company has hired numerous experts over the last year, presumably to help with the iWatch development, including a chief medical officer, biosensor engineers, a Nike design director, and most recently the rumor that Apple hired a sleep expert from Philips Research.
Plus, curved glass rumors persist -- not to mention a furious effort to produce sapphire glass. While a patent points to the obvious iPhone usage for super-strong glass, it might be even more important for a scratch-prone wearable device.
Other rumors have pointed to home automation uses for an "iWearable" device, but smartphones are already unlocking doors, running thermostats from afar, and dimming lights. The point is, the iWatch is potentially launching into a fast-moving environment.
Why Not the Apple TV?
So why isn't the Apple TV Apple's greatest challenge for the near future? It's iterative. There is less reputation at stake. Less innovation cred to be lost. But the iWatch? A stumble will open up the guts of Apple and indicate a fading company, capable of evolutionary design... but maybe not revolutionary products. Lots of Apple geeks are hoping this isn't the case.
As for me, I'm mostly curious. I haven't worn a watch in 10 years, much less needed an exercise band to tell me I've been busy. I'm Apple's best and worst customer rolled up into one guy: Will I want one?


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KIEV, Ukraine – A hairstyling business closes four salons rather than deal with crooked officials. An independent salesman hustling paint from the trunk of his car faces a $5 million tax penalty. A humble crafts stall gives up after taxes increase ten-fold overnight.
That's the world of small business in Ukraine — a tangled thicket of bribe-hungry government inspectors and complicated, unpredictable regulations.
Reducing graft and red tape are set to be part of the conditions Ukraine will face in exchange for an international financial rescue package. Officials in Kyiv are expected to wrap up talks with the International Monetary Fund as soon as Tuesday.
Yet it will take some doing. Ukraine's culture of corruption and bureaucracy is deeply entrenched.
Take the story of Aleksey Antonyuk, who runs a hairstyling, marketing and publishing company in Kyiv.
He was part of the first wave of Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the waning days of the Soviet Union, setting up a hair salon with one stylist. He expanded that to a company that employed 200 people at its peak. He branched out into media, publishing a stack of glossy magazine on hair and makeup, and offered marketing services, training courses and hairstyling competitions.
The trouble began when his business grew large enough to register as a limited liability corporation. That means he needed to install cash registers — and with those came government inspectors eager to find evidence of rule-breaking.
"It's like honey for flies," said Antonyuk, a tall, slim 48-year-old, in an interview at his offices in a nondescript Soviet-era building away from the bustle of Kyiv's city centre.
The inspectors found something wrong at every turn — a register a few coins short, the safe in the wrong place. It was either a large fine — or bribe to ensure a smaller one. The going bribe rate is the equivalent of $100 for small, recurring matters, and $2,000 for yearly inspections.
Meanwhile, competitors had a simpler model: renting salon chairs to independent stylists, who didn't declare any income at all.
"I was competing with the black market," he said. "And you can't compete against the black market. I lost."
Antonyuk shut down four salons, keeping just two, and went back to the simpler form of business registration, as a sole proprietor.
"If I lived in another country, I'd have 100 salons, and I'd have sold them, and I'd being doing something else."
The hope of a better-governed country was one of the motivations for those who fought to get Ukraine closer to the European Union. Their protest movement helped drive out pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, triggering a conflict with Moscow that resulted in the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.
Antonyuk was part of the pro-EU protest encampment on Independence Square in Kyiv and spent a cold night on the square Dec. 10 when there were fears it would be cleared violently by police. His phone is full of video of the protests. Though the demonstrations closed his downtown business for days, he says it was worth the trouble: "If there's no change, there won't be any business."
On a country-wide scale, corruption and bureaucracy are keeping people poor. As companies fail to grow or shut down, the government — which is almost broke — misses out on valuable tax revenue. And good jobs are lost that could raise the per-capital income of just $7,400 per year, even adjusted for the lower cost of living.
The World Bank cites "pervasive" corruption and the burdens on small business as primary reasons why Ukraine has seriously lagged its neighbours economically since it gained independence at the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. The country of 46 million is poorer on a per-capita basis than other former parts of the Soviet Union such as the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia — now EU members — and it even lags Russia and Belarus.
Making business laws simpler to navigate and more transparent is likely to be among the IMF's goals. Sudden changes to laws and taxes can make companies unviable overnight.
Dmitry Zimin, in the northeastern Ukrainian town of Sumy, had to close down his stand selling embroidery supplies at the central market when the tax code was amended in 2010. His social contributions rose 10-fold, eliminating his profits.
He's currently making do with odd jobs while he tries to build up a new business, a network of farms and homestays that offer ecotourism holidays. But even there, growth is hindered by uncertainty. The members of his ecotourism network are struggling to get financing — banks concerned about the unpredictable nature of doing business in Ukraine demand annual interest rates of 30 per cent or more on loans.
Another key issue the IMF is likely to look into is Ukraine's outdated system of tax inspections, which involves lots of face-to-face contact between bureaucrats and businesses — an open invitation to extorting bribes. Modernizing the system, so that businesses can do more of their paperwork over the Internet, for example, could help.
A more difficult aspect to change, some say, is a historical mistrust of entrepreneurs that has carried over from Soviet times, when businesspeople were denounced as speculators and prosecutors reigned supreme.
"For us, the prosecutor is tsar and god," said Vladimir Solodkov, a former small business owner in the town of Armyansk.
Local officials in general remain a class by themselves who can't be called to account for their behaviour, he said. Police, prosecutors and tax officials hang out together and the system protects its own.
Solodkov used to sell paint wholesale, taking supplies on consignment from a factory — until the local tax inspector decided he had violated tax rules. Solodkov was given an option — pay a bribe of 400,000 hryvnia ($40,000) or a fine of 27 million hryvnia (a bit more than $5 million).
The inspector, he says, had been too greedy: "If it had been 40,000 hryvnia ($4,000) it would have been different."
He challenged the fine in the courts. The case is still pending after four years.
What will happen to the case is unclear. Armyansk is in Crimea, just four kilometres (2 1/2 miles) inside what Russia now claims is its territory. The civil part of Solodkov's case is in Ukraine; a related criminal investigation, in Crimea.
In any case, he has forgotten about opening a business again.
"The second I open something, they'll land on me," he said.


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This is Elliot Weissbluth's second appearance on the IA 25. Read his extended profile from the 2012 IA 25 here. Click here to view the complete list and Special Report schedule for extended profiles for each of the 2013 IA 25 honorees.
Last year, when we highlighted Elliot Weissbluth on the cover of our IA 25 issue, we said that with HighTower's unique appeal to top-level wirehouse brokers who sought independence while taking advantage of the best of the financial services business, Weissbluth had changed the conversation on and about Wall Street. It's no longer a dualistic understanding that "Wall Street is bad; independent advisors are good."
So where is that conversation now? "Like any other big topic, it hasn't changed much in the past year," said Weissbluth, before subtly contradicting himself by describing a rather big change: "More advisors have left the wirehouses," with many of the larger ones having joined HighTower as partners. At the same time, "the level of tolerance that individual investors have has decreased." What has increased is the "level of skepticism about these large firms—that they put their clients' interests first," while "the delineation between manufacturers and true fiduciaries is sharper." Weissbluth said he's "optimistic that the consumer is incrementally more sophisticated," and he sees opportunity ahead as "the next generation decides what advisor they'll use."
It's not so much that the next generation of clients doesn't trust advisors, he said; instead it's about "service model modality." He argued: "Do millennials want to be serviced the way their parents were? Is a quarterly office meeting or golf game or dinner or paper performance report the way that the next generation wants to be serviced?"
He turned the conversation to a comparison of the future prospects of wirehouse firms and independent firms like his. "Do the incumbent firms servicing the majority of investors have the prescience and the commitment to invest and change their businesses" to meet the needs of that next generation? "No," he answered, because the independent firms "are significantly ahead in innovative technology and solutions, and the big firms are playing catch-up and may never catch up."
Beyond his championing of the independent model, he remains a passionate proponent of the HighTower model. "HighTower is now the destination of choice for any wirehouse escapee" because, he argued, those escapees can become a full-blown HighTower partner or take advantage of the firm's more recent models: the HighTower Network and the HighTower Alliance, versions of affiliation that are similar to the independent broker-dealer business model but with unique variations in typical HighTower fashion. "A team can leave, own their own business, have control of their own destiny and avail themselves of the sophistication of our platform. That de-risks the move entirely because they end up with more products, better pricing, greatly reduced operational costs" and less business risk.
So what's next for HighTower, which was in 13th place in 2012 on Inc.'s list of the 500 fastest-growing private firms? "We're on a 20-mile plan, inspired by Jim Collins" in his book "Great by Choice." In Weissbluth's translation, that means HighTower "only does acquisitions in the first three quarters of the year; in the fourth quarter we refresh and rebuild." So far this year, HighTower has "done four transitions and opened up two new offices." HighTower, he said, will "keep building and building; one step after another."
That building likely won't include existing RIA firms, though. "I'm a numbers guy," Weissbluth said. "There are more opportunities in looking for teams to leave the big shops than there are RIAs looking to plug into somebody else's network. We don't want to compete with the Schwabs, Fidelitys, Envestnets." Most of those RIA firms, he said, "are set in their ways," so changing their business models would be a "Sisyphean task for them." In contrast, "when a team leaves a brokerage firm, they're open to a firm like HighTower helping them make all those decisions. We're interested in firms that want to grow their businesses."


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Tagged: NFL
Super Aaron
After beating the Steelers and winning Super Bowl 45 Sunday night, Aaron Rodgers is now officially an
elite quarterback. In my opinion, you have to do to things to be an elite
quarterback in the National Football League.
First, you have to be well . . . great. You
have to make other guys better. Do you think Wes Welker would put up the stats
he puts up with Tom Brady if say Colt McCoy was throwing at him?
The second thing is pretty simple, yet
hard to accomplish. You have to win at least one ring. When you win a ring it
means that the quarterback is great and tough. He makes his teammates better,
and he is a leader on and off the field.
For example look at Aaron Rodgers, Drew
Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady
(the quarterbacks of last six Super Bowl champions) and tell me that they
aren't great, they aren't though, they don't make their teammates better, and
they aren't a leader on and off the field. You can't.
In the case of Roethlisberger I question
his leadership after his actions that got him a four game suspension from the
NFL. After that, his teammates didn't even select him as a team captain. I mean
most teams have their quarterback as their captain.
At the end of the day though the Packers
won and will be going to the Whitehouse (they has potential for awkwardness
since Obama is a Bears fan).
Dazed, Confused, and Defeated
I sit here writing, I am still trying to figure out exactly why the New England
Patriots had to lose to the New York Jets. I mean any team but the trash
talking, cocky, annoying Jets. I would have rather gotten killed by the Steelers
next week, murdered in the Super Bowl by the Packers or Bears, heck even lose
in the divisional round to a team like the Seahawks then lose to the foot
loving Jets.
Now I know that when I turn on Mike and
Mike tomorrow, Mike Greenberg will be sitting there saying how much he loves
Mark Sanchez and how good the Jets are.
Any team but the Jets. Any team. Any
team. I would have just loved the Jets to shut up. I mean after the week
thirteen loss, the Jets actually shut up! That was arguably the best two days
of the football schedule, the two days when the Jets were absolutely quiet.
But now though I think I'm beginning to
understand why exactly the Patriot loss still stings so badly and why it is
still keeping me up at night, two nights later. My conclusion is, Boston sport fans have been spoiled since
Name one other city with just one NFL,
NBA, and MLB with stars like Tom Brady, Paul Pierce, and David Ortiz. You just
Since 2001 the Patriots have won three
Super Bowls (2001, 2003, 2004), The Red Sox have won two World Series (2004,
2007), and the Celtics won the NBA Finals back in 2008. That's six
championships out of the possible twenty-seven, or over 22%, of all the possible
championships in the NFL, MLB, and NBA, since 2001.
No offense to anyone, but many Boston
sport fans, myself included, can be brats when it comes to sports.
Oh this guy isn't doing good trade him. We have a weakness at
this position, so we have to get the best guy out there. When we don't get what
we want, we let people hear it. Same thing for New York, Philadelphia, Chicago,
etc. fans. Again, no offense.
However, that's part of the "beauty" of
large marker sports. In Kansas City and Baltimore fans are more laid back for
the most part. Again, no offense. Fans are so dedicated and passionate about
winning. They accept nothing but the best. Look at the crazy fans at football
games that paint their whole body. They are either Raider fans, or fans of the
Patriots, Jets, Giants, Eagles, Bears, etc. When you grow up around a winning
culture, you don't know how to deal with defeat. Do you get angry or sad? Does
it last a few days or a few weeks?
Recently though, I've been learning how
to deal with defeat (unfortunately). The Celtics lost game seven of the NBA
Finals, the Red Sox didn't even make the playoffs, and now the Patriots are
potentially "done" with their dynasty.
When you're a kid, you can't imagine that
your team will lose. I mean they're your team.
When your team does lose it teaches you a great lesson in sportsmanship and how
to deal with defeat. I am just now getting that lesson though.
I have a friend who is a Cleveland sports
fan and trust me he has got that lesson . . . big time. Today though, I realize
that when I'm practically screaming at the TV after a Kevin Garnett alley oop,
or a Tom Brady touchdown, or a David Ortiz home run. There is some ten-year-old
kid either upset or mad that that had to happen against his team. But he doesn't know that he is learning maybe the most
valuable lesson in sports.
Looking back, I wish there was a time
when I was that ten-year-old kid. I wish I had learned that lesson sooner then
latter. The "bad" news is that the Celtics look to be making another title run
and the Red Sox have restocked to win another ring. On second thought, I think
that lesson can wait another year. J
When you don't know how to deal with
defeat and accept nothing but the best and you don't get the best it stings more
then anything.
-Photo Credits
1.) http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/tomase-pats-spied-on-the-rams-before-sbxxvi
2.) http://connect.in.com/red-sox-tickets/photos-1-1-1- 72693d71aaca1b6b9cf5cbfeec0dac4d.html
3.) http://gallery.neoseeker.com/Lesley%20Pro_04/photostream/2020860158
P.S. Rex Ryan owes me for not making the title Dazed, Confused, and De-feet-ed
NFL Playoff Predictions
Yesterday was a slow news day, but MLB Network did show the 2004 World Series along with part one of five Red Sox memories.


text:
I have been hearing about The Barbeque Exchange since I moved to Charlottesville. People swear by it; they order it for every occasion (weddings, board meeting, 4th of July….). Barbecue is a somewhat new culinary experience for me – the pulled pork, the brisket, the pulled chicken and turkey, the decadent mac and cheese, the hash browns – came into my life a bit late, but I have made up for lost time. I think our noses and growling stomachs brought us to Gordonsville, Virginia, home of what is said to be the best bbq on the planet (or at least Central Virginia).
This eatery is a hidden gem. It's quaint, unassuming and perfectly homey. The day we ventured out to Gordonsville was a hot, humid morning (typical weather of Central Virginia summers), windows down, nobody but us on the road. We pulled in the crowded parking lot, entered the establishment and were immediately hit with the spicy and sweet smell of bbq seasoning, melted cheese and a variety of hearty desserts. A line formed and we waited for what felt like a lifetime.
I have asked friends and no matter what time you choose to eat at The Barbeque Exchange, you will find crowds waiting to sink their teeth into some prime seasoned meat. Chef Craig Hartman (winner of the 2014 Best Of C-VILLE : Chef) does it the right way: old school, slow-cooked bbq. BBQ Exchange won the 2014 Best Of C-VILLE: BBQ.
I went for the classic: pulled pork with seasoned fries and a side of mac and cheese.
Served in a soft and sweet bun, the meat melted in my mouth: perfectly cooked and seasoned. It was like butter. Now, I am a french fries freak and these were one of the best seasoned fries I have ever tasted.
Look at that beauty. The sauces can make anyone happy: Hog Fire if you dare eating fire (Francesco tried it and lived to tell the tale); Colonel Bacon, the original sauce (it includes bacon!); Craig's Carolina, vinegar based and pretty representative of the North Carolina sauces (so they say); QX Sweet, Kansas style spicy and sweet and Soo-eet, Memphis style with molasses and onions. There is really something for everyone. I went with Craig's Carolina for a more subtle kick.
There was not much left, obviously. The Mac and Cheese held its own, perfect gooyie consistency. Overall, excellent experience. Fantastic food. It's not going to take much for us to go back and try new things.


text:
Yes, you read that right.
Apparently Shurelds supports Obama, and Ortiz supports Clinton. While the two were in the kitchen of someone's home (it is unclear whose home) Shurelds told Ortiz that Obama was "trashing" Clinton, and Ortiz responded that "Obama was not a realist."
While for most people that would be pretty much the end of the conversation, not so with these two, for whom those were not just fighting words, they were stabbing words. Ortiz and Shurelds argued, began to choke and punch each other, and eventually Ortiz grabbed a knife and stabbed Shurelds in the abdomen.
Ortiz then went back to doing the dishes, including, of course, the knife he had used to stab his brother-in-law.
Not at all surprisingly, Ortiz has a case of selective memory (not unlike the typical politician), and conveniently denies any memory of the stabbing incident. He has been charged with felony aggravated assault, as well as two misdemeanor counts. Bail has been set at $20,000.
I'm sure Clinton and Obama are proud to have supporters who are willing to go that far for their chosen candidate. Or not.
Originally posted on Adventures In Frickintardistan


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Are Recent Infield Arrivals Worth Your Time?
By R.J. Anderson //
With the 2013 Super Two date somewhere in the early-to-mid part of June, teams are beginning to call up worthwhile, if not elite, prospects in hopes for an added charge. Are any of the recent infield promotions capable of doing the same to your fantasy roster? Here is a look.
Dee Gordon
Son of Tom Gordon, Dee could claim owner of the "Flash" nickname too, because he has legitimate top-end speed. Scouts rate speed on a 20-to-80 scale, and many have Gordon at 80. Watching him play, it's easy to see why, as he covers ground in an instant and his foot speed is a big reason for why he went 22-of-25 on basestealing attempts in Triple-A this season. Offensively, Gordon isn't going to offer much else. Probably a decent-to-good batting average however he has little to no power. If speed is a priority, consider grabbing Gordon.
Jemile Weeks
Brother of Rickie, Jemile is up in place of Mark Ellis, who was sent to the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday with a hamstring strain. Weeks was hitting .321/.417/.446 in Triple-A with a walk-to-strikeout ratio near 1. He found himself leading off in his big league debut and should get a fair amount of playing time in Ellis' absence.
Scott Sizemore
Another Athletic, Sizemore has taken Kevin Kouzmanoff's spot. With Adam Rosales also returning, there is a chance the A's use a combination of the pair at third base, but Sizemore's play in Triple-A (an OPS over 1000 in 135 plate appearances makes him a possible change of scenery candidate—even if the only real changes were his uniform and the leniency the organization takes with his struggles.
Cord Phelps
The newest addition to the list, Phelps was called up on Wednesday and thrown right into the lineup at second base. He can man the skill infield positions, which means he could gain eligibility at third, short, and second over the season. Phelps hit .308/.388/.498 in his Triple-A career and showed more pop than his previous performances. He could see regular playing time.
For access to the top baseball analytics and fantasy tool Bloomberg Sports Front Office visit BloombergSports.com


text: It is with great joy that the first four members of our Indonesian Community profess perpetual vows in our Institute on the Feast of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, June 27, 2014. Bro. Melkurius Abatan, originally from the Philippines, Bro. Salestinus Bani, Bro.Yohanes Vianey Akoit and Bro. Zakarias Paus Tola, all from Indonesia, made their first profession of vows in July 2011 in Kupang. Their theological studies were completed at the Divine Word Missionaries Seminary on the island of Maumere. After final profession, all four will pursue their further studies in India.


text:
Auto-Tuned Honey Boo Boo: 'Everyone's a Little Gay'
'Jimmy Kimmel Live' does it again with a hysterically auto-tuned Honey Boo Boo quote.
While the hit TLC series, 'Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,' always seems to dish out excerpts that'll make any level-headed individual weak in the stomach, one pearl of wisdom grabbed the attention of Kimmel's staff. In a recent episode, Honey Boo Boo went on the record as saying, "Ain't nothin' wrong with bein' a little gay. Everybody's a little gay."
The video includes footage from the show, including wild dance moves and Mama exfoliating her lovely skin. At least the first part of the little one's quote is quite astute: you're right Honey Boo Boo, there ain't nothin wrong with bein' a little gay!
Oh no! Are we actually swirling towards the dark side, deriving unironic enjoyment of 'Here Comes The Boo Boo'? Not a bit, but we can still appreciate the child's view.


text:
YAYAYAYAYAY!!! The brand-new, super-sweet cookbook -- Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 Just Desserts: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories -- is NOW ON SHELVES EVERYWHERE!!! We're so excited, we're sharing one of our favorite recipes from its freshly printed pages. Oh, who are we kidding... WE LOVE THEM ALL! Enjoy these fluffy 'n frosty tie-dyed cupcakes. (They're totally easy to make!) Ingredients: 1/3 cup vanilla frosting
1 sugar-free vanilla pudding snack with 60 calories or less (like the kind by Jell-O) 1 3/4 cups moist-style white cake mix
1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)
3/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. rainbow sprinkles
5 drops red food coloring
5 drops blue food coloring
5 drops yellow food coloring Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with foil baking cups, or spray it with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, mix frosting with pudding until smooth and uniform. Cover and refrigerate. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, egg substitute, and baking powder. Add 3/4 cup water, and whisk until smooth. Stir in 1 tbsp. sprinkles. Evenly distribute batter among 3 medium bowls. Mix a different food coloring into the batter in each bowl until uniform. Evenly distribute red batter among the cups of the muffin pan. Repeat with blue batter, followed by yellow batter, so that each cup has three layers. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 16 - 18 minutes. Let cupcakes cool completely, about 10 minutes in the pan and 15 minutes out of the pan. Spread cupcakes with frosting mixture, and sprinkle with remaining 1 tbsp. sprinkles. Enjoy! MAKES 12 SERVINGS
Serving Size: 1 frosted cupcake (1/12th of recipe)
Calories: 135
Fat: 3g
Sodium: 231mg
Carbs: 25g
Fiber: <0.5g
Sugars: 15g
Protein: 1.5g
PointsPlus® value 4*
Who among us hasn't spent some time ogling beautiful DIY projects on the Internet? Sites like Pinterest are full of gorgeous creations (many of them edible) that we're dyeing to try. But you can only see so many pictures of tie-dye cakes and cupcakes before your stomach starts to growl! The problem is that these treats, like most thickly frosted baked goodies, are packed with too many calories and too much fat. Don't sacrifice your diet for the sake of style! We put together our own recipe for oh-so-colorful cupcakes, and they taste every bit as good as they look. They're also super simple to make, despite what you might think on account of their stunning appearance. Best of all, the stats themselves are worthy of an admiring gaze. Who says numbers can't be pretty? Our gorgeous guilt-free cupcakes rock!!!
Serving Size: 1 frosted cupcake Calories: 330 Fat: 14g Sodium: 250mg Carbs: 46g Fiber: 0g Sugars: 36g Protein: 1g PointsPlus® value 9*
Are your pals pondering a purchase of the new HG dessert book? Click "Send to a Friend" to pass along this sneak peek!
It's National Salsa Month, so let's dance! Oh wait... Salsa Month probably refers to the tomato-based dip, not the Latin dance. Executive decision: We're celebrating with both! (Update: Don't eat salsa while dancing. You will ruin your blouse.)
SmartPoints® value not what you expected? Click here for more info on how the values are calculated, plus more FAQs about PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® values on our website.


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Date: 19 juillet 1950
L'invasion de la Corée du Sud par cinq divisions de l'armée nord-coréenne, en juin 1950, est à l'origine d'un conflit au rayonnement international qui constituera un des moments forts de la guerre froide. Le 19 juillet, le président américain Harry Truman fait le point sur la situation et sur l'intervention militaire de son pays, faite à la suite d'une résolution des Nations unies.
Sélection et mise en page par l'équipe de Perspective monde
At noon today I sent a message to the Congress about the situation in Korea. I want to talk to you tonight about that situation, and about what it means to the security of the United States and to our hopes for peace in the world.
Korea is a small country, thousands of miles away, but what is happening there is important to every American.
On Sunday, June 25th, Communist forces attacked the Republic of Korea.
This attack has made it clear, beyond all doubt, that the international Communist movement is willing to use armed invasion to conquer independent nations. An act of aggression such as this creates a very real danger to the security of all free nations.
The attack upon Korea was an outright breach of the peace and a violation of the Charter of the United Nations. By their actions in Korea, Communist leaders have demonstrated their contempt for the basic moral principles on which the United Nations is founded. This is a direct challenge to the efforts of the free nations to build the kind of world in which men can live in freedom and peace.
This challenge has been presented squarely. We must meet it squarely.
The Communist invasion was launched in great force, with planes, tanks, and artillery. The size of the attack, and the speed with which it was followed up, make it perfectly plain that it had been plotted long in advance.
As soon as word of the attack was received, Secretary of State [Dean] Acheson called me at Independence, Mo., and informed me that, with my approval, he would ask for an immediate meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council met just 24 hours after the Communist invasion began.
One of the main reasons the Security Council was set up was to act in such cases as this-to stop outbreaks of aggression in a hurry before they develop into general conflicts. In this case the Council passed a resolution which called for the invaders of Korea to stop fighting, and to withdraw. The Council called on all members of the United Nations to help carry out this resolution. The Communist invaders ignored the action of the Security Council and kept right on with their attack.
The Security Council then met again. It recommended that members of the United Nations help the Republic of Korea repel the attack and help restore peace and security in that area.
Fifty-two of the 59 countries which are members of the United Nations have given their support to the action taken by the Security Council to restore peace in Korea.
These actions by the United Nations and its members are of great importance. The free nations have now made it clear that lawless aggression will be met with force. The free nations have learned the fateful lesson of the 1930's. That lesson is that aggression must be met firmly. Appeasement leads only to further aggression and ultimately to war.
The principal effort to help the Koreans preserve their independence, and to help the United Nations restore peace, has been made by the United States. We have sent land, sea, and air forces to assist in these operations. We have done this because we know that what is at stake here is nothing less than our own national security and the peace of the world.
So far, two other nations-Australia and Great Britain-have sent planes to Korea; and six other nations-Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and New Zealand-have made naval forces available.
Under the flag of the United Nations a unified command has been established for all forces of the members of the United Nations fighting in Korea. Gen. Douglas MacArthur is the commander of this combined force.
The prompt action of the United Nations to put down lawless aggression, and the prompt response to this action by free peoples all over the world, will stand as a landmark in mankind's long search for a rule of law among nations.
Only a few countries have failed to endorse the efforts of the United Nations to stop the fighting in Korea. The most important of these is the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union has boycotted the meetings of the United Nations Security Council. It has refused to support the actions of the United Nations with respect to Korea.
The United States requested the Soviet Government, 2 days after the fighting started, to use its influence with the North Koreans to have them withdraw. The Soviet Government refused.
The Soviet Government has said many times that it wants peace in the world, but its attitude toward this act of aggression against the Republic of Korea is in direct contradiction of its statements.
For our part, we shall continue to support the United Nations action to restore peace in the world.
We know that it will take a hard, tough fight to halt the invasion, and to drive the Communists back. The invaders have been provided with enough equipment and supplies for a long campaign. They overwhelmed the lightly armed defense forces of the Korean Republic in the first few days and drove southward.
Now, however, the Korean defenders have reorganized and are making a brave fight for their liberty, and an increasing number of American troops have joined them. Our forces have fought a skillful, rearguard delaying action, pending the arrival of reinforcements. Some of these reinforcements are now arriving; others are on the way from the United States.
Furthermore, the fact that Communist forces have invaded Korea is a warning that there may be similar acts of aggression in other parts of the world. The free nations must be on their guard, more than ever before, against this kind of sneak attack.
When we have worked out with other free countries an increased program for our common defense, I shall recommend to the Congress that additional funds be provided for this purpose. This is of great importance. The free nations face a worldwide threat. It must be met with a worldwide defense. The United States and other free nations can multiply their strength by joining with one another in a common effort to provide this defense. This is our best hope for peace.
The things we need to do to build up our military defense will require considerable adjustment in our domestic economy. We have a tremendously rich and productive economy, and it is expanding every year.
Our job now is to divert to defense purposes more of that tremendous productive capacity-more steel, more aluminum, more of a good many things.
Some of the additional production for military purposes can come from making fuller use of plants which are not operating at capacity. But many of our industries are already going full tilt, and until we can add new capacity, some of the resources we need for the national defense will have to be taken from civilian uses.
This requires us to take certain steps to make sure that we obtain the things we need for national defense, and at the same time guard against inflationary price rises.
The steps that are needed now must be taken promptly.
In the message which I sent to the Congress today, I described the economic measures which are required at this time.
First, we need laws which will insure prompt and adequate supplies for military and essential civilian use. I have therefore recommended that the Congress give the Government power to guide the flow of materials into essential uses, to restrict their use for nonessential purposes, and to prevent the accumulation of unnecessary inventories.
Second, we must adopt measures to prevent inflation and to keep our Government in a sound financial condition. One of the major causes of inflation is the excessive use of credit. I have recommended that the Congress authorize the Government to set limits on installment buying and to curb speculation in agricultural commodities. In the housing field, where Government credit is an important factor, I have already directed that credit restraints be applied, and I have recommended that the Congress authorize further controls.
As an additional safeguard against inflation, and to help finance our defense needs, it will be necessary to make substantial increases in taxes. This is a contribution to our national security that every one of us should stand ready to make. As soon as a balanced and fair tax program can be worked out, I shall lay it before the Congress. This tax program will have as a major aim the elimination of profiteering.
Third, we should increase the production of goods needed for national defense. We must plan to enlarge our defense production, not just for the immediate future, but for the next several years. This will be primarily a task for our businessmen and workers. However, to help obtain the necessary increases, the Government should be authorized to provide certain types of financial assistance to private industry to increase defense production.
Our military needs are large, and to meet them will require hard work and steady effort. I know that we can produce what we need if each of us does his part-each man, each woman, each soldier, each civilian. This is a time for all of us to pitch in and work together.
We have the resources to meet our needs. Far more important, the American people are unified in their belief in democratic freedom. We are united in detesting Communist slavery.
We know that the cost of freedom is high. But we are determined to preserve our freedom-no matter what the cost.
I know that our people are willing to do their part to support our soldiers and sailors and airmen who are fighting in Korea. I know that our fighting men can count on each and every one of you.
Our country stands before the world as an example of how free men, under God, can build a community of neighbors, working together for the good of all.
That is the goal we seek not only for ourselves, but for all people. We believe that freedom and peace are essential if men are to live as our Creator intended us to live. It is this faith that has guided us in the past, and it is this faith that will fortify us in the stern days ahead.


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Volbeat Say Goodbye to Guitarist Thomas Bredhal
Shortly after announcing their participation in the 2012 Gigantour with Megadeth, Motorhead and Lacuna Coil, Volbeat have announced that they've parted ways with guitarist Thomas Bredhal.
The band announced the break up on their website comparing being in a band to being in a marriage with lots of ups and downs along the way. In the band's own words, "At times you can work it out and sometimes you need to go separate ways."
There doesn't seem to be any hard feelings involved, with the band thanking Bredhal for his time spent with them: "We want to thank him for the work he has put in for Volbeat and we wish him all the best in the future," continues the statement.
So what does the future look like for Volbeat? The band will move forward with their touring schedule as a trio and possibly add a replacement guitarist at some point. The band summed it up, saying, "Right now we'll take a well deserved break and we will be back on the road in January."


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Winter and Holiday Planning for You and Your Pet
Cold Weather CareAs the mercury drops and the winter chill settles in, we are offering some tips on keeping your companions comfortable through the winter months. Much of the advice for cold weather pet care is common sense - like making sure your companions have a warm, safe and dry place to rest if they are outdoors or a comfortable place away from drafts if they are indoors. However, it never hurts to review cold weather tips again since last winter was a long time ago - and who knows how much we've forgotten since the balmy days of summer tend to melt those chilly details from memory.Fur Coat CareWinter coat care is important for your furry friends. They depend on you to help keep their coat clean and mat-free so they can stay warm and comfortable. Even kitties that are fastidious about cleaning their own coat need to be brushed regularly and checked for matted fur. Clean fur fluffs and holds air - similar to layering clothes, which will help Rover or Whiskers stay warm. Matted fur pulls on the skin and can cause discomfort and irritate skin. If mats are left long enough, sores can develop and become infected. TheGripsoft Dematting Rake is a must for companions with long coats.As the heat kicks on in your home the air gets drier. Regular brushing helps encourage and distribute the natural oils in your companion's skin and coat. Essential fatty acids anddaily multi-vitamins help nourish the skin and coat making it healthier and easier to care for. The fuller and longer your pet's coat, the more attention they will need during winter weather - especially after a walk or romp in the snow.Be sure to thoroughly wipe down your furry friend's paws, legs and underbelly after a walk in winter weather, particularly if you walk near roadways. This is also essential for cats with outdoor access. Slushy snow from sidewalks and roadways can contain a whole host of toxic chemicals including de-icers, salt, antifreeze, and heavy metals from vehicle exhaust. Your pet will ingest these if left to clean his own fur and paws - so be sure to remove the dirt before he does with some handyEarth FriendlyPet Wipes. For an eco-friendly sidewalk de-icer, trySafe Paws - a must for all pet guardians to keep those toxic chemicals off your and your pet's feet and out of your home.If your friend's own fur coat is not sufficient to keep her warm, get her a cozy jacket so she can still enjoy the great outdoors during the winter months. Walks are still a vitally important part of your companion's daily routine for exercise and mental health. In rainy climates a light weightrain coat lets your companion enjoy their walks without getting soaked.Paw CareLike the built-in fur coat, your companion's paws may need a bit of extra care during winter months. Dogs, especially, become susceptible to dry pads with frequent trips out onto the cold, wet ground and then back into the heated house. Some soothing paw balm is a great way to keep those pads supple and healthy. Trimming the fur between the toes makes keeping the paws clean and healthy a bit easier, as well as helping to prevent those pesky snow balls that can form between the toes. And for those walks in the snow or on cold sidewalks or icy roads, dog boots will keep your companion comfortable and safe from the de-icing salts and other chemicals.Good nail care is important, too. Long nails can strain tendons in the feet, and make a dog sensitive to walking on hard surfaces. They also lose traction as their nails get long because they walk more on the backs of their feet, and their toes spread more allowing more snow between the toes. Keep their nails trimmed on a regular basis with a good qualitynail clipper. If your pooch doesn't like having her nails trimmed, keep the sessions short and only do one paw at a time – or, for smaller dogs, try filing the nails frequently instead of trimming less often.FoodAs winter settles in, you may need to adjust your companion's food intake to meet his changing fuel needs. Dogs that spend as much time outside in the winter as they do in the summer need extra protein to help their bodies produce the extra energy it takes to keep warm. And for those "less adventurous" dogs and cats who spend a bit more time indoors napping by the fire, you may need to reduce their calorie intake to keep them from getting a bit round in the middle, (which is only appropriate if you wear a read suit and keep a stable of flying reindeer).Celebrating the holidays with scrumptious meals is tradition for most of us, but be mindful of what you share with your companions. Lean meat, lightly cooked veggies, or a spoonful of mashed yams are a fantastic treat for your canine or feline friend, but skip the turkey skin or ham fat, (and nothing with onions in it). Remember to reduce their regular rations a bit to compensate for the extra helpings of people food. Be sure the trash is well secured after holiday meal cleanup so prying paws can't "dumpster dive" for the bones and scraps. Veterinarians see more cases of pancreatitis during the holidays than any other time of year because too many pets get too much of a good thing. Please see our article aboutHoliday Stress Reducers and Safety Tips for more information.Puppies & SeniorsThinking of welcoming a puppy into your family this holiday season? (See our article on Giving Pets as Gifts before you do!). Puppies are especially susceptible to the cold and house training is quite a bit more difficult when going outside is unpleasant rather than a treat. Keep a potty area well shoveled if you live in a snowy area, and consider a tarp lean-to or cover if you live in the rainy Northwest. Even though your puppy will grow quickly, get him ajacket for those chilly trips to the potty.Older animals are also more sensitive to the cold, also and will tolerate less time outdoors in the winter. Consider a coat or sweater for your senior pal even if he has a longer coat. As animals age, they are less efficient at regulating their own body temperature and get cold much more easily. Older dogs are often less steady on their paws as well, so a set of boots may be helpful.The drier air in our homes in the winter which can make animals more prone to dry noses and nasal passages, upper respiratory infections, dry, itchy skin and other problems. Consider using a humidifier to keep everyone more comfortable. An air purifier may be helpful as well since the windows are closed tight for the season and any toxins in the home have nowhere to go. For animals with extra dry skin don't forget to increase their intake ofessential fatty acids as mentioned above, and include a daily spritz ofcoat conditioner to soothe itchy skin.Outdoor DwellersDoes your dog or cat spend the day outside while you are at work? Outdoor cats and dogs need special consideration during winter months. Make sure they have an insulated, enclosed "house" to escape the elements, with a flap door that does not face into the wind. Use straw or shavings as bedding rather than old blankets. Old blankets will retain moisture as well as providing a prime breeding ground for molds and parasites, as well as insect pests. A fleece or wool blanket on top of a thick layer of bedding will wick moisture away.If there are outdoor cats in your area, make sure to bang on the hood of your car before starting it since they like to curl up in a warm engine and may still be there when you return.IdentificationMore animals are lost during winter months as snow and blustery weather can make it difficult for them to find their way home if they get lost. Make sure your pets wear current ID tags, and be sure to keep them on leash if you are walking in snow and ice.Car RidesThose who live where winter can bring severe weather should keep a survival kit in the car in case of emergencies. Don't forget to include provisions for your companion like an extra blanket and water,a bowl, andsnacks. And if you do take your friend for a ride in the winter wonderland, don't leave her alone in the car. Just as the car acts as an amplifier for heat in the summer, it can easily become a freezer in the winter.AntifreezeA green (or pink or orange, etc) puddle on your garage floor can be extremely toxic to your dog or cat. If you fill your own radiator or if yours overflows – be sure to clean up thoroughly. Antifreeze has a sweet scent and taste that attracts dogs and cats. If you suspect your animal has ingested antifreeze, contact a veterinarian immediately. There is an antidote available for antifreeze poisoning, but time is of the essence and the longer it takes to obtain the antidote the greater the risk of kidney damage or worse.
Traveling with Your CompanionTaking Fido or Fluffy home for the holidays? Before setting out, be sure that your pet has all the essentials to ensure that their trip is happy and safe. Take along a good supply of one or more calming remedies for the car or airplane ride, along with motion sickness remedies for those furry friends who may need them. Be sure to try out any stress relieving remedy for a few days ahead of the trip to be sure that it's effective, and that your pet will tolerate it. Both dogs and cats must wear a properly fitted collar with identification - including your cell phone number and/or the phone number of your destination.
When traveling by car bring along some calming music to help with relaxation. Other essentials include water, bed, litter and litter box, leash, grooming supplies, a first aid kit and a favorite toy or two. If space is limited and you can't bring your dog's own big comfy bed, take along atravel bed to keep her comfortable wherever you stay.
Here are some remedies to support your companion through the stress of the trip:
Pheromone Spray for the car, the kennel or carrier, and the room when you arrive at your destination. It is best to spray this several minutes before bringing your pet into the area for optimal calming effects.Flower Essences for quick and easy dosing during travel. Just use on the gums or paws. You can give this as often as needed to support your companion's sense of ease – even every few minutes when the animal is visibly stressed.Flower Essences for anxiety can be massages into the ears and paws, and added to the drinking water throughout your trip.Only Natural Pet Relaxi-Herb or Pet Naturals Calming Formula can provide quick and effective help for an overly anxious pet. Don't forget to take along adosing syringe for easy administration.If your companion suffers from motion sickness, try one of the following remedies:HomeoPet Travel AnxietyPetAlive Easy Travel
The easiest food for travel isFreeze Dried orDehydrated diets. They are compact, light-weight and easy to prepare. If you decide to try this and your pet is used to kibble, be sure to introduce the new food gradually at least a week before your trip. Sudden diet changes during times of stress can bring most unwelcome results - like lots of trips outside if your companion's digestive system reacts unfavorably. Whatever diet you choose, pack plenty of it, since finding pet stores away from home that carry just the right food can be difficult. If your pet is prone to a sensitive digestive system, be prepared with Only Natural Pet Tummy Relief or Vetri-Science Fast Balance; these are the quickest acting remedies available for diarrhea or loose stools.
A little advance planning can go a long way to making the trip more enjoyable for everyone. For listings of pet friendly hotels seePet Travel.com orPet Friendly Travel.
Pet Sitting or Boarding Your CompanionPet Sitter Prep: Can't take your four-legged friend along on your holiday travels? For many pets the optimal solution is a pet sitter who stays in your home with your companion or at least visits several times a day. Relying on a neighbor or the kid across the street to check on your pet is not always a good idea. Pet sitters take their job seriously. They come on a schedule and will not forget to show up or leave your companion without a bathroom break for too long. Cats are a bit more resilient since they can use an indoor "bathroom," but they should still be checked on daily and provided with fresh food and water, as well as some attention and play time. TheNational Association of Professional Pet Sitters andPet Sitters International provide information and referrals to local pet sitters. Other places to shop for a reliable pet sitter are through your veterinarian or trainer, or by asking for recommendations at your local dog park.
Boarding Your Pet: Millions of pet guardians choose to entrust their pets to boarding facilities when they travel. Thankfully, high quality boarding facilities are becoming easier to find. Boarding your companion can offer peace of mind: knowing your dog or cat is safe, secure, and well cared for. Advance planning is the key to finding the best boarding facility to meet your pet's needs. Ask for referrals from your veterinarian or trainer, and visit more than one boarding facility before making your choice. TheAmerican Boarding Kennels Association website provides information and referrals for boarding kennels across the country.You shouldn't need an appointment for a tour of most boarding facilities. In fact a surprise visit is probably best. Experts often suggest that you drop by a boarding kennel without advanced notice to the staff in order to get the best idea of how things appear, smell, and sound when it's "business as usual" and they are not expecting you. Also, watching how the staff interacts with the animals will tell you a great deal about the care your pet will receive there. Try to find a facility that will accept blood titer results rather than requiring current vaccinations. Please see our article, "What You Need to Know About Vaccinations," for more information about the importance of minimizing vaccines.Just as dogs and cats that will be traveling need support to manage stress, pets that are staying home alone or staying at a boarding facility will benefit from the support of calming remedies. In addition to extra support for the nervous system in handling stress, consider providing extra support for their immune system if they will be staying away from home. The remedies mentioned above for traveling pets are also appropriate for those left at home, as well as the following remedies:
Additionally, any one of the following stress and anxiety remedies can help support a dog or cat during times of stress and separation. These are best given at least 2 times per day, starting several days to a week before you are planning to leave.
- Only Natural Pet Relaxi-Herb (a liquid herbal)or
- Genesis Resources Canine or Feline Anxiety & Stress Formula (tablets that can be crushed into moist food)or
- Nature's Herbs Calming Formula (very small "tea pills" – easy for dogs to swallow, for cats can be crushed)or
- LoveMyPet Stress Relief (liquid homeopathic and herbal drops)
In addition to one of the remedies above, add one of the following flower essences to the drinking water:
- SpiritEssence Holiday Stress Stopperor
- Pet Essences Loneliness/Home Alone
Consider these remedies for providing extra support for your companion's immune system in preparation for a stay at a boarding facility:
- PetAlive KC Defense can help prevent kennel cough or other respiratory infection. Give this for 7 days prior to boarding your pet.and / or
- Colostrum sprinkled on the food is a well-tolerated immune support supplement. Even cats like the taste. Start giving this 3 to 5 days prior to boarding your companion, and have the staff continue supplementing during your pet's stay.
Be sure to have one of the flower essences listed above added to your pet's drinking water while they are boarded as well. Any competent, ethical boarding facility will happily add whatever supplements provided to your cat or dog's food and water to help make their stay more comfortable.If fleas are a problem in your area, be sure to spray or wipe your pet down withOnly Natural Pet Herbal Defense Spray before they go to the facility. And treat their bedding with someAll-in-One Flea Remedy to avoid bringing any pesky parasites home with you. Along with his favorite bed and a toy or two, leave a t-shirt that you have recently worn that will retain your scent to help comfort your companion. And don't forget to pack plenty of his favoritetreats for the staff to spoil your friend in your absence!


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Product ID Number: uk3293
Product Features of Wii Fit Balance Board Bag Grey & White
TGC ® Wii Fit Balance Board Bag Grey Woven Nylon outer with white trim.
Special padded interior for all round balance board protection.
Exclusive ADDITIONAL traditional carry handle only on the TGC ® bag. Not fitted as standard on other bags.
Adjustable Shoulder strap with fixing hooks.
Secure zip fastening.
Additional Zipped storage flaps on the front of the bag.
OEM Packaged.
Quality TGC Product.